Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jfromtheway]

I didn't find any specific information on this when I searched, but is it generally impossible to avoid the fact that a school is going to make you work 10-12 hour days during intensive periods? And how long are most intensive periods, would you say normally around 8 weeks total for the year? Or more or less? Appreciate any feedback.

[ttompatz]

[lifeinkorea]

[iselynjenniep]

hagwons usually do for 4 weeks in summer (july) and 4 weeks in winter (january). you work longer hours and are not allowed to take vacation during that time.
not all hagwons, but some...

[jfromtheway]

Ah, much thanks for the responses. One position stated three weeks in August working essentially 9am-9/10pm, plus five other spread out weeks of the same type schedule. Then I talked to someone who said the practice was standard at most haKwons.
It makes sense if you're covering other people's vacation time, or during PS breaks, student-based 'intensive' no vacation periods, or for multiple reasons I guess.
LifeinKorea made it sound like you would generally just cover other people's morning shifts, which would be fine. I know you're (sometimes) paid for the extra hours but the 12 hour days seem a little rough, especially for 3/4 of the month of August; it's good to know the accountant like hours aren't necessarily standard, but they seem to be somewhat difficult to avoid.

[lifeinkorea]

[jfromtheway]

Yes, I guess I misspoke but no disrespect; I understood what you were saying about a shift change, which wouldn't be a big deal since it would essentially be the same hours, and I assume those things happen normally. What I said should have gone in the previous statement where I was attempting to understand what 'intensive periods' actually require: A simple shift change or 12 hour days. I understand that it's all about where you work and I don't disagree with anything that's been said, I'm just trying to discern hagwon tricks and standards. [/i]

[lifeinkorea]

[Skippy]

As to Intensive it depends on the Hagwon. Each one will be different. I had one that went from Regular afternoon classes to Morning class and the Afternoon classes basically 8:00 to 8:00 almost. I have had another that moved the afternoon times to earlier and ADDED more morning classes. My current one is great. Classes are a touch earlier in the afternoon and pretty much the same hours. No morning classes.

Intensives can be easy a bit. The school may say here is a book try and finish it in a month. AND they can be hell - other schools will say months or even days before we want to you to plan and create a book and make a whole bunch of games and activities from scratch. They may say here is some money and resources. Others will say you pay!

I almost worked with one place (gave a test run - me bad) that even regular school hours had some much testing and marking I found it a bit too much for me and in a couple of weeks they would have expected me to teach an extra 3 or 4 hours in the morning with also high load of paperwork. I turned that job down.

Talk to a previous teacher about what they had to do. Also careful with hours and contracts. Many places will say they say will only teach 30 hours a week BUT add the Caveat that you will be expected to teacher over 30 hours a week when the say so and you can not refuse because they will pay you overtime and usually not that great of a rate.

Also some schools will nickel and dime you with the hours. Each class is 50 minutes lets say you teach 40 classes that week instead of a regular 26. You think hey that is and extra 10 hours I get some extra dosh. Nope they will add up all the minutes and wow it is extra 3 hours. But actually sorry forgot to tell you we do it by hours a month/pay period. Because of holidays and odd month lengths you find out that you only worked like and extra 10 hours that month. Yet it feels like twice the work.